Key takeaways
Lisbon's international schools charge annual tuition that climbs with grade level – high school years cost the most. United Lisbon International School and Park International School both serve ages 3 to 18, offering British or IB pathways. Sibling discounts exist (5–10% typically), but even with them, parents with multiple children are looking at €30,000–€50,000+ per academic year. Legacy Online School delivers a WASC-accredited US curriculum at a quarter of that cost, with live lessons, summer school, part-time K-12 and 19 AP courses available. The fee structure is completely different.
- Tuition at Lisbon international schools: €15,000–€25,000+ per child per year
- High school students pay the steepest fees; younger children cost less but still €12,000–€18,000 annually
- Sibling discounts (5–10%) help but don't fix the total family cost problem
- Application fees run €500–€1,500 per child, non-refundable
Contents
We are a US-accredited international online school that coexists with local schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring compliance with any local education requirements applicable to their situation.
What the Fee Structure Actually Looks Like
International schools publish updated fees each January or February for the September academic year start. The model is tiered: younger students pay less, older students pay more. Here’s the range across Lisbon’s main schools:
Ages 3–5: €12,000–€18,000
Grades 1–5: €15,000–€20,000
Grades 6–8: €18,000–€23,000
Grades 9–12: €20,000–€25,000+
Lisboan International School, United Lisbon, Park International School – they all follow this structure. British curriculum (IGCSEs, A-levels) and IB both cost about the same.
What You’re Actually Paying For
Annual school fees cover teachers, facilities, core academics. They don’t cover everything:
- Uniforms: €200–€500 per child per year
- Application/enrollment fees: €500–€1,500 upfront, non-refundable
- Sports, art, music programs – often extra
- Technology fees (devices, platform access, software)
- Field trips
Some schools bundle costs, while others break them out line by line. Either way, the published tuition isn’t the final number.
Sibling Discounts Don’t Solve the Problem
Most international schools offer sibling discounts:
- Second child: 5–10% off
- Third child: 10–15% off
Sounds helpful, but only in theory. Do the math: two high schoolers with a 10% sibling discount still cost €36,000–€45,000 annually. Add a younger child and you’re over €50,000 per academic year. For expats on fixed packages or planning long-term stays under NHR residency, that’s a serious financial load.
The Santos Family in Cascais
Maria and João Santos moved from Brazil to Cascais in January 2025 on a Golden Visa. Their three children – ages 6, 11, and 15 – needed English-language education. The family didn’t speak Portuguese fluently, so Portuguese public schools weren’t an option.
They toured Park International School and United Lisbon International School. Both quoted €17,000 for the 6-year-old, €21,000 for the 11-year-old, and €24,000 for the 15-year-old. With a 10% sibling discount on the second and third child, total annual cost: €56,700.
The family enrolled all three in Legacy’s Live Group plan in February 2025. Total annual cost: under €15,000 for all three children combined. The 15-year-old is now taking AP European History and AP Calculus – courses that would have cost extra at the international schools.
The Santos family kept €40,000+ annually. That’s university tuition for one child saved every single year.
How Legacy Compares
Legacy’s tuition program works differently. Costs vary by grade and learning plan (Live Group, One-on-One, Self-Paced), but annual fees run one-quarter to one-third of what Lisbon international schools charge.
WASC accreditation standards hold online schools to the same academic rigor as traditional private schools.
“WASC accreditation provides assurance that an institution has a clear educational mission, qualified faculty, and operates with sufficient resources to achieve its purpose.”
— WASC Senior College and University Commission
Legacy’s curriculum comes from FlexPoint Education Cloud via Florida Virtual School. K–12 in English. 19 AP courses at the high school level. AP credits recognized by 500+ universities worldwide.
Three learning plans fit different situations. Live Group: structured daily lessons, up to 15 students. One-on-One: individualized for specific needs or irregular schedules. Self-Paced: parents adapt timing to travel. All three produce the same accredited outcome.
Beyond academics, Legacy offers virtual clubs and extracurricular activities that foster creativity and community – debate club, coding, creative writing, student government. Students connect with peers across 30+ countries without needing a physical campus.
See full tuition and fees on Legacy’s site. For parents comparing options, the cost gap is massive – especially with multiple children.
Choosing What Actually Fits Your Child
Fee structure matters, but it’s not everything. Consider learning style, language support, community, future goals. International schools offer in-person instruction, global student bodies, established campuses. Legacy offers flexibility, portability, and significantly lower cost.
For parents who want English-language education without €20,000+ annual fees per child, an accredited online school starts making sense. Book a trial class or talk to the admissions team about how parents in Lisbon and Porto are using Legacy.
Top Tips from Our Expert
Maya Robinson, College Prep Advisor at Legacy Online School
- Get the real total cost before signing anything. Published tuition + uniforms + application fees + extracurriculars – actual cost per year runs 15–20% higher. With two or three kids that difference is real money.
- Ask about sibling discounts upfront. Not all schools advertise them. A 10% cut on €40,000 is €4,000 saved.
- Know what the fee actually covers. Technology? Trips? Uniforms? Some bundle it, some charge separately. Get it in writing.
- Check university placement records if your child is college-bound. High fees don’t guarantee strong college guidance. Ask which universities, how many students, what kind of support.
- Calculate five years out. Two children, five years in Lisbon – that’s €150,000–€250,000 in school fees. Legacy is a quarter of that. The savings go toward university instead.
We are a US-accredited international online school that coexists with local schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring compliance with any local education requirements applicable to their situation.
Legacy Online School is a WASC-accredited international online school serving expat families in Portugal. Enrollment with Legacy is intended to fulfill the escolaridade obrigatória (compulsory education) obligation through the international online school pathway. Legacy provides an Enrollment Confirmation Letter and Academic Transcript upon request. Families are responsible for confirming any specific requirements associated with their visa or residency status. Legacy does not provide legal or immigration advice.
